Be a Liver Lover

REMEMBER developing those white, scabby patches on the skin as a kid? Your grandma probably took one look at it, and diagnosed 8216;8216;L...

REMEMBER developing those white, scabby patches on the skin as a kid? Your grandma probably took one look at it, and diagnosed 8216;8216;Liver8217;8217;. You might have outgrown that condition, but the state of your liver continues to be an excellent barometer of your health.

Dubbed the chemical factory of the body, the liver synthesises, metabolises and detoxifies almost everything that we ingest, breathe or absorb. It requires minimal care to ensure a disease-free life.

nbsp;	IF YOU HAVE A WEAK LIVER

		nbsp;	8226; Eat a well-balanced, nutritionally adequate diet. Cut down on deep-fried and fatty foods. 8226; Start the day with ginger-water. Tulsi and garlic also get the thumbs up. 8226; Get regular health check-ups and liver function tests. 8226; Limit consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs. 8226; Avoid exposure to toxic substances such as pesticides, solvents and paint thinners. 8226; Get regular, moderate exercise. 8226; Take no more than the recommended doses of medications, anti-biotics and pain-killers. Be sure about the herbs, supplements and alternative therapies you are using. 8226; Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. 8226; Eat small, frequent meals rather than three large meals. 8226; Good sleep is also important for a healthy liver.	nbsp;

How vital is the liver?
The liver is the largest internal organ, responsible for 500 bodily functions. It helps in digestion and metabolism, regulates the production, storage and release of sugar, fats and cholesterol. It also produces key proteins, enzymes, hormones, clotting factors and immune factors. 8216;8216;The liver converts matter into energy. If your body needs instant energy, the liver kicks in,8217;8217; says Delhi-based nutritionist Dr Shikha Sharma. It also filters infectious organisms, alcohol and poisons from the blood and eliminates toxic by-products of normal metabolism.

Is the liver prone to damage?
As it performs so many vital functions, it is easily susceptible to damage. 8216;8216;The commonest cause of liver damage is accumulation of fat. This can cause further damage,8217;8217; says Dr Anupam Sibal, senior consultant, Hepatology, at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.

What is the fallout of a damaged liver?
With damage, liver tissue can become fibrous fibrosis, fatty steatosis, and scarred cirrhosis. Very heavy damage impedes its normal functions, a condition known as decompensated cirrhosis. 8216;8216;The liver cells get blocked and food starts accumulating in the lymph channels. This can cause acidity and indigestion,8217;8217; says Dr Sharma.

Reduced production of blood proteins may lead to fluid accumulation in the abdomen and easy bleeding. Inability to process metabolic by-products may lead to a build-up of bilirubin, causing jaundice, impaired brain function or even coma.

What are the indicators of liver damage?
Digestion and skin problems are the best indicators of liver malfunction. 8216;8216;If the liver is damaged, all the toxins stay in the body and flood the blood stream. It shows up as pigmentation, red blotches and skin infection, and as frequent, unexplained fever and rashes,8217;8217; says Dr Sharma. Improper digestion, frequent constipation or loose motions are also an indicator. Symptoms of liver disease may also include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, swelling of the legs, abdominal water retention, and passing of very dark urine or pale or bloody/tar-like stools.

What can damage the liver?
Heavy alcohol consumption can damage the liver and speed up liver disease in people with hepatitis B or C.
Deep-fried smoked, and processed foods are taboo.
Self-medication is harmful. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications, recreational drugs, herbal remedies, and vitamin and mineral supplements can be toxic to the liver, especially when taken in high doses or used in combination. Drug toxicity is more likely in case of an existing liver disease.